IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

FIRST APPEAL (ST) NO. 1840 OF 2021

WITH

INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 953 OF 2021

WITH

INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 954 OF 2021

IN

FIRST APPEAL (ST) NO. 1840 OF 2021

The State of Maharashtra & anr. ..Appellants/

Applicants

Versus

Shri Harishchandra Bhiva Patil & ors. ..Respondents

Mr. A. R. Patil, Addl. GP, for the State

None for the Respondents

CORAM : RAJESH S. PATIL, J.

DATE : 10.12.2025

P. C.

INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 953 OF 2021

1. This Interim Application has been filed for condonation of delay

in filing the First Appeal.

2. Office remarks show that the Respondents have been duly served. None appears on behalf of the Respondents when the matter is

called out.

3. I have heard Mr. Patil, learned Addl. GP and gone through the contents of the Interim Application. According to me, a case is made

out to allow the present Interim Application.

4. Supreme Court in the judgment of Collector, Land Acquisition,

Anantnag and another Vs. Mst. Katji and Others reported in 1987 SC

1353, has held that:

“Every day’s delay must be explained” does not mean that a pedantic approach should be made. Why not every house’s delay. Every second’s delay ? The doctrine must be applied in a rational common sense pragmatic manner.”

5. Supreme Court in the case of S. Ganesharaju (Dead) through Lrs V. Narasamma (Dead) through Lrs reported in (2013) 11 SCC 341, more specifically, paragraph Nos. 12 and 13, of the said judgment held that a liberal construction to the cause of delay should be given. The said paragraphs are reproduced herein below:

12. The expression “sufficient cause” as appearing in Section 5 of the Limitation Act, 1963, has to be given a liberal construction so as to advance substantial justice. Unless the respondents are able to show malafides in not approaching the court within the period of limitation, generally as a normal rule, delay should be condoned. The trend of the courts while dealing with the matter with regard to condonation of delay has tilted more towards condoning delay and directing the parties to contest the matter on merits, meaning thereby that such technicalities have been given go-by.

13. The rules of limitation are not meant to destroy or foreclose the right of parties. They are meant to see that parties do not resort to dilatory tactics but seek their remedy promptly.

6. Bombay High Court in the judgment of Kamalbai Narasaiyya Shrimal and Another Vs. Ganpat Vithalrao Gavare reported in 2007 (1)

MH. L.J. 807, paragraph Nos.13 and 15 has held:

13. The factual position is manifestly clear on bare perusal of the application for condonation filed by the petitioners before the learned District Judge. The only relevant statement in the application is thus:

“The delay caused in preferring the appeal is of six months. The caused delay is not intentional one. The appellants are poor and helpless persons. If the delay is not condoned appellant may cause irreparable loss which cannot be compensated in terms of money. The suit was for recovery of possession and present appellants are tenants. If the delay is not condoned then appellants will become shelterless.”

15. The expression “sufficient cause” cannot be erased from section of the Limitation Act by adopting excessive liberal approach which would defeat the very purpose of section 5 of the Limitation Act. There must be some cause which can be termed as a sufficient one for the purpose of delay condonation. I do not find any such “sufficient cause” stated in the application and as such no interference in the impugned order is called for.”

7. Considering the facts of the present case and the law laid down in the above Judgments, the present Interim Application stands allowed in terms of prayer clause (b).

8. The Interim Application is accordingly disposed of.

FIRST APPEAL (ST) NO. 1840 OF 2021

1. Heard learned Addl. GP for the State.

2. Admit.

3. The Appellants to file private paper-book within a period of six months from today. A copy of the same to be serv